Related Directory Categories
- Stiff Person Syndrome (4)
- Stiff Upper Lips (2)
- Working Stiff (2)
- Stiff Little Fingers (2)
- Stiff Little Fingers (1)
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Stiff (professional wrestling)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
To be stiff in professional wrestling is to hit an opponent with more force than usual or is necessary so as to make the attacks seem more real to the fans. This could be the result of a shoot, but some wrestlers have worked stiffly throughout their careers even though their intentions are not to legitimately hurt their opponents. Workers who either have a past of shoot fighting or other contact sports are usually the stiffest workers in the ring.
Stiffing can also be the act of a wrestler intentionally trying to cause harm to an opponent, often as a punishment or because they feel they have not been selling their offense enough to that point.
In Japan, especially in the promotions All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling NOAH, "stiff working" exists in nearly every match. Dubbed "Strong Style" in NJPW and "King's Road" in AJPW, it is done to show that the wrestlers are fighting hard for their pride and honor, a tradition that originated with the Samurai.
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Throughout his career, Ric Flair has been known to be particularly stiff with his chops, to the extent of leaving red marks and even welts on opponents' chests.
Stan Hansen once delivered a blow so strong to Vader that it dislodged Vader's eye from its socket. Vader is also known for his stiff style of wrestling.[1] He once broke the back of a young wrestler named Joe Thurman, who was paralyzed from the waist down for a couple of hours.[2]
Another stiff wrestler is Low Ki. He is known for his brutal kicks and strikes.
NOAH's Tsuyoshi Kikuchi is infamous for stiffing younger wrestlers and wrestlers from other promotions during matches, seemingly as a way to tell them he is not to be underestimated despite his mid-division status; Bob Holly is an American wrestler notorious for similar behavior. Holly was filmed viciously beating a trainee, for no apparent reason, in the third series of WWE's reality show Tough Enough. For this reason, he received heavy criticism in the non-kayfabe wrestling media.
Wrestling Divas can also be known for having a stiff working style. In November 2006, RAW Diva Victoria inadvertently broke Candice Michelle's nose after a stiff kick to the face.[3] Other notable stiff women workers include Melina,[4] Jazz, and Jacqueline ,Trish Stratus, and Torrie Wilson.
- ^ Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.2)
- ^ Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.3)
- ^ Candice Michelle (February 3, 2007). Candy-Coated, No. 1. Retrieved on May 14, 2007.
- ^ LilsBoy, S and Ross, J (May 3, 2007). WrestleCast with Mick Foley. The Sun. Retrieved on May 3, 2007.
- Mick Foley (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. HarperCollins, 511. ISBN 0061031011.